The Sao Joao festival was celebrated with great pomp and gaiety in different parts of Goa recently. Well, the holy Bible clearly tells us that St John the Baptist was a holy man, who preached the baptism of repentance by water in the river Jordan, spoke about the imminent coming of Jesus Christ and who never ever consumed alcohol throughout his life. Unfortunately, some Goans are seen following the traditions of their ancestors of consuming alcohol and jumping in wells/swimming pools whilst celebrating the annual Sao Joao festival in Goa. They say that the reason why they keep jumping in wells/swimming pools on the feast day of St John the Baptist is because the great Saint had leaped in his mother Elizabeth's womb after hearing Mary's greetings on that day. Well, all that is fine. I think that people need to seriously learn to celebrate the day in a more meaningful way by emulating his simple lifestyle and understanding the significance and true teachings of this Saint
